Anyone have an opinion?
Printable View
Anyone have an opinion?
Well, you have certainly opened a can of worms. Everyone is going to have lots of stories about how good or bad that MotorGuide is and how great or terrible MinnKota is. Just get what you can afford and what fits your needs. Both MG and MK have their good and bad sides. Only thing I would say is that you don't hold back on the thrust...get more than you need and you won't be sorry on those windy days.
Michael d is correct about having enough thrust first and foremost. Minn Kota is the choice of most serious trollers in our area. I own both a Minn Kota Auto Pilot with the COPILOT feature and a Motor Guide foot control that came on my Pro Crappie 175 as a package. Just make sure you do not get a foot control that requires constant attention or you will be working it all day instead of fishing. Good Luck.
I hate the foot control on the Minn Kota, but I've never had any trouble out of any of my Minn Kotas and neither of my Motorguides will currently run and I could've bought a new Minn Kota with what I've spent trying to keep my last Motorguide running. Loved the Motorguides when they would work, but they were anything but dependable. I think you would be happier w/ the Minn Kota.
I'm a low-budget fisherman. If you're asking what's the best motor that money can buy, I can't help you. But I've had good luck with two low-end Minn Kota's (I have both a 30 and a 50 pound, 12-volt models). Both of mine are transom mount models, and I worry that the plastic bracket is the weakest part of the whole set up, so I always take them off the transom and lie them flat in the boat when I'm on the road. I would guess that both Motor Guide and Minn Kota make equally good low-end models.
Motorguide for me. Bought a new boat with a Minn Kota, ended up swapping for MG. Nothing wrong with it, couldn't get used to the foot control. Had MG for all of my fishing life (30+ years), only problem I remember is I had to get seals replaced in one lower unit.
Depends on what type of fishing you plan on doing. I just put a Minn Kota Terrova on my boat. I spend a great deal of time trolling jigs and pulling crankbaits. This TM is perfect for that kind of fishing. I've had Motor Guide and Minn Kota. Both have been good motors for me.
I have had both motors. Minn Kota is always more quite than MG. The thrust is the most important part. I have bent the shaft on MG. Never MK.
For 2009 MK has redesigned there foot pedal. More ergonomically designed.
Good luck with your decision.